Gaeta is a picturesque, coastal city, surrounded by the Aurunci Mountains and the
deep blue sparkling sea, situated near to the southern border of Lazio and the Campania
region. It is built on a peninsula which reaches out into the Tyrrhenian Sea, on
the one side it encloses the spectacular Gulf of Gaeta, a broad sweep of bay which
stretches down towards Naples, on the other is the wide expanse of golden sand, Serapo
Beach.

Gaeta has had a long and colourful history It is believed that Gaeta was first colonised
by the Ionic Samian people. Then according to legend, after the fall of Troy, the
Greek heroes Ulysses and Aeneas are said to have sailed the Tyrrhenian Sea and the
survivors eventually landed on these shores. Among the companions of Aeneas was
his nurse Caijeta who, it is said, died in this area and hence gave her name to the
city. Later the name was modified to Gaeta.

Even during Roman times, Gaeta was renowned as a splendid holiday resort and many
a wealthy and influential Roman built their summer villas along this beautiful coastline.
Gaeta also benefited from a good deep water harbour.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire Gaeta became part of the enlarged Byzantine
Empire, however in the 9th century it became an autonomous Duchy. The fortified
maritime city was naturally protected because of its strategic position, placed high
on a promontory, almost completely surrounded by sea, but its defences were further
strengthened by the building of walls and towers. Thus the city and port prospered
and successfully resisted Saracen invasions.

In the 11th century it was ruled by the Normans, during the 12th century by the Sicilians,
before passing on to the Anjou and Aragon dynasties. The fortifications were further
strengthened during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Through the ages the town was repeatedly attacked by Spanish, Sardinian, Austrian
and French forces, and endured several arduous sieges. Gaeta became known as being
one of the strongest fortresses in Europe.

Finally Gaeta was ruled by Bourbons and was the most northerly post of their Kingdom
of Naples / Kingdom of Two Sicilies. After the fall of Naples to Garibaldi, Francis
II and his remaining 1200 men of the Neapolitan Realm made a stand from within Gaeta’s
formidable fortifications. They withstood a lengthy siege and heavy bombardments,
but were finally forced to surrender in February 1861.

The centre of the medieval quarter is steeped in history and rich in ancient monuments,
mansions, and palaces. It is a labyrinth of narrow winding streets, alleys and stairways.

Consequently, this led to the formation of the new unified Republic of Italy.

Today the imposing castle still dominates the entrance of the harbour.